Coupler-cargo pallet/container

ABSTRACT

A cargo-pallet coupler mechanism for interconnecting and thereby joining a series of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in train, and consisting of a pair of elongated coupler-rods each having a depending key element on opposite sides thereof for respective engagement in a corresponding pair of block elements affixed on opposite sides of each pallet or container.

United States Patent Walton NOV. 28, 1972 COUPLER-CARGO PALLET/CONTAINER [72] Inventor: Roger H. Walton, Dayton, Ohio [73] Assignee:The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the AirForce [22] Filed: March 10, 1971 [21] App1.N0.: 122,706

52 us. (:1. ..105/366 R, 213/75 R, 108/51,

108/64 51 1m. (:1. ..B60p 7/00, B61 g 5/00 58 Field of Search..108/51-58, 64,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,191,222 2/1940 Sheehan..105/366 R 1,900,867 3/1933 Olds ..105/366 R 3,521,579 7/ 1970 Stafford..108/64 964,996 7/1910 Matthes.... ..108/64 X 1,081,378 12/1913 Freeman..248/224 2,751,969 6/ 1956 Kruijt....- ..297/248 X 2,851,311 9/1958Gibbs ..304/1 3,241,684 3/1966 Willsey ..211/l05.1

Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. FinchAttarneyHarry A. Herbert, Jr. and Arthur R. Parker ABSTRACT Acargo-pallet coupler mechanism for interconnecting and thereby joining aseries of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in train, and consistingof a pair of elongated coupler-rods each having a depending key elementon opposite sides thereof for respective engagement in a correspondingpair of block elements affixed on opposite sides of each pallet orcontainer.

3 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 COUPLER-CARGO PALLET/CONTAINER BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a coupling devicefor interconnecting multiple air cargo-loads in train in preparation forthe loading, or off-loading thereof into and from the cargo compartmentof a delivery aircraft.

The individual handling of a plurality of pallet-supported, orcontainer-enclosed cargo loads, during the filling or emptying of thecargo space of a cargo aircraft, has proven to be very time-consumingand thus quite uneconomical, particularly in commercial-type operations.Moreover, in a combat situation involving particularly the present-day,larger-types of cargo aircraft, any excessive delay in the on-loading,or off-loading of critical supplies needed by beleaguered troops, forexample, could prove disastrous. Therefore, some simplified andeasily-applied means of interconnecting a plurality of individual cargoloads in a serial formation to thereby ensure the quick loading andunloading thereof into and from the cargo aircraft is most important. Inthis regard, the new and improved device or mechanism of the presentinvention, to be hereinafter described in the following summary anddetailed description, resulted from a governmental program in whichvarious coupling devices were investigated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention consists briefly in theuse of a pair of cargo pallet or container-coupling devicesinterconnected between each adjacently positioned pair of a series ofcargo-carrying pallets or containers. Each coupling device comprisessimply an elongated rod element incorporating a depending key element onopposite ends thereof, which key elements engage in suitable slotsformed in block elements fixed near each end, and on opposite sides ofeach cargo pallet or container. The key elements have been tapered tothereby automatically position the cargo pallets or containers in theirinterconnected relation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readilyapparent from the following disclosure thereof, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 3 and 3a represent sideelevational and end views, respectively, showing further details of thepallet coupler-rod of the inventive assembly;

FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b represent front, side and top views, respectively,showing further details of one of the pallet coupler-key elements of theinvention;

FIGS. 5 and 5a, respectively, depict side elevational and top. views,partly broken-away, showing the assembly of the inventive pallet couplermechanism; and

FIGS. 6 and 6a, respectively, indicate front and top views more clearlyshowing details of one of the pallet coupler-blocks of the inventiveassembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and,in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, a pair of adjacently positioned cargopallets to be interconnected in the novel manner taught by the presentinvention have been illustrated in partly schematic and broken-away format 14 and 15. The inventive cargo pallet-coupler device, which would, inactual practice, be used in pairs on each side of, and between each pairof adjacent cargo pallets of a series thereof to be formed in a serialor train configuration, is schematically illustrated generally at 10 asincluding a relatively elongated, rod member 11, and a pair ofsubstantially identical cargo pallet-key-locking and/or interconnectingelements, indicated respectively at 12 and 13 as being disposed on, andextending in depending relation from, opposite ends of said rod member11. To provide for the interconnection of the aforementioned couplerdevice 10 to, and between the pallets l4 and 15, the key elements 12 and13 may be respectively engaged within slots or sockets, as at 16a andl7a,respectively formed in a pair of block elements, indicated at 16 and17, formed on the corresponding side of the pallets 14 and 15, as shown.Of course, each cargo pallet 14, 15 would actually include a series offour such block elements, as at 16 and 17, with a corresponding pairformed on the opposite sides thereof for respective engagement withother, identical coupler devices (not shown).

The above-referred to depending key elements 12 and 13 are unique inthat each incorporates a built-in, self-locking feature by being formedwith a novel, tapered surface on the outer side thereof, as is generallyindicated at 12a and 13a in FIG. 1 for both key elements, and at 12a inFIG. 4 for the key element 12. The previously-mentioned sockets or slots16a and 17a of the block elements l6, 17 are made of the same size andconfiguration as the key elements 12 and 13 and, therefore, likewiseeach incorporates both tapered and straight slot portions indicatedrespectively at 16b and 16c in FIGS. 6 and 6a, for example, for the keyelements 12. With the use of the above-described tapered surfaces formedon both of the key elements 12 and 13 and, of course, in the matchingsockets or slots 16a, 17a, the inherent snug-fit engagement of the saidkey elements l2, 13 within the slots 16a, will produce a positive locktherebetween to thereby prevent the accidental release of the keyelements 12 and 13 from their engaged and interconnected positions.Moreover, the foregoing tapered configuration of the key elements l2 and13, when in their engaged position, has the further advantage ofautomatically ensuring that the cargo pallets 14 and 15, as well as theend rails 14a and 15a thereof, are positioned in proper alignmentrelative to each other. The assembled condition of the key elements l2,13 in the sockets or slots 16a, 17a is clearly depicted for the keyelement 12 in the partly broken-away and schematic view of FIG. 2.Naturally, the same condition also prevails for the key element 13.

A more detailed showing of the previously described, relativelyelongated rod member 11 of the unique cargo coupler device 10 isillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a. As seen in the latter figures, rod member11 actually consists of a relatively enlarged-diameter, main, centralrod portion at 18 that may be of a square configuration (Note FIG. 3a),in one form thereof, and which may terminate in oppositely disposedrod-end portions at 18a and 18b that may be necked-down or of areduceddiameter and circular configuration, as shown. The previouslydescribed, novel depending key elements 12 and 13 may be each attached,as seen particularly in FIGS. and 5a, to opposite ends of theaforementioned rod member 11 by means of a universal-type joint inherentin each of a pair of identical rod-end bearing members, indicatedrespectively and generally at 19 and 20. The latter members 19, 20 mayeach incorporate an integral straight link portion, indicated in 19a and20a, and which respectively interconnect or attach the rodend bearingmembers 19 and 20 to the opposite rod-end portions 18a and 18b of therod member 11. The said straight link portions 19a, 20a, may be madewith internally disposed and relatively elongated openings having adiameter equal to that of the rod-end portions 18a and 18b, and, thus,may be easily assembled to the said rod-end portions, as seen in FIG. 5,by being slid thereover in snug-fit relation thereto. Thereafter, eachstraight link portion 19a and 20a, and rod-end portions 18a and 18b ofthe rod member 11, may be drilled in their assembled condition andreamed with tapered openings, as at 21 and 22, and then affixed to eachother by means of tapered pins, as at 23 and 24,

inserted therewithin.

With specific reference again to FIG. 5, the rod-end bearing members 19and 20 have been illustrated as each further including acircular-shaped, outer rod-end bearing member-female-type of bearingsupport at 25 and 26, respectively. Revolvably mounted within each ofsaid female bearing supports 25, 26 is a spherical segment, as forexample that indicated in doted lines at 27 in FIG. 5a. The sphericalsegment 27, which revolves in all directions within the female bearingsupport 25 and therefore acts as a universal joint, provides uniquesupport for the depending key element 12, by means of the incorporationof a raised boss on a portion of the surface thereof, which raised bossis indicated at 280 and 28b as projecting outwardly beyond both sides ofthe plane of the female bearing support 25. The key element 12 may befixedly mounted to the aforementioned raised boss, at the sectionthereof indicated at 28a, as by means of a bolt and nut arrangementindicated respectively at 29 and 30. A lock washer is provided at 31 forthe usual purpose. Actually, each of the said key elements l2, 13 may beprovided with a spacer element, as indicated for example at 32 in FIGS.4a, 4b and 50, for the key element 12, in order to locate the latter inits proper position. Thus, it is actually the spacer element 32 that isheld in immediate contact with raised boss section 28a, as is depictedclearly in the aforementioned FIG. So, by means of the previously noted,bolt and nut arrangement at 29 and 30.

With the above-described unique arrangement, wherein the novel keyelements 12 and 13 of the present invention are mounted to the rodmember 11 of the inventive coupler device 10, by way of the previouslydescribed rod-end bearing members 19 and 20,

the aforesaid key elements are obviously uniquely mounted, when in theirassembled condition, to freely accommodate and specifically provide forboth of any hinging and/or swiveling action that may, and usually does,occur thereat during the loading and/or unloading of an aircraft-cargocompartment.

I claim:

1. In coupling means for interconnecting adjacently positioned pairs ofa plurality of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in a serialformation to thereby facilitate the loading and unloadingthereof into,and from the cargo compartment of a delivery aircraft, said meanscomprising; first, permanently affixed, cargo-pallet orcontainer-mounted block element means attached to the sides of saidpallets or containers in adjacent and predetenninedly spaced-apartpairs, and further each incorporating a built-in and oppositely taperedslot, each corresponding, pairs of block element means being utilizablein attaching said adjacently-positioned pairs of pallets or containersto each other; and second, cargo-pallet or container-interconnectingmeans for releasably attaching opposite sides of each adjacentlypositioned pair of pallets or containers and each including a relativelyelongated and indirect cargo pallet or container-interconnecting-rodmember extending in its normally mounted position between, in paralleland spaced-apart relation to, and over the upper surfaces of each ofsaid pair of adjacently positioned pallets or containers, and a pairof'intermediately positioned and relatively short, direct cargo-palletor container-interconnecting-elements respectively extending from, andin depending relation to, the opposite ends of said rod member, each ofsaid pair of depending elements comprising an interconnecting key membertapered in the same configuration as, and thereby being respectivelyengageable in locking relation within the built-in tapered slot of eachof the block element means corresponding thereto for therebyautomatically and positively ensuring correct alignment betweenadjacently positioned pairs of pallets or containers.

2. In coupling means for interconnecting adjacently positioned pairs ofa plurality of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in a serialformation as in claim 1, and a universal-type of joint-attachment meansinterconnected between the said rod member and the pair of dependingelements respectively extending from the opposite ends thereof tothereby allow relative movement between adjacent pallets or containersduring the serial loading or unloading thereof into, and from a cargoaircraft.

3. In coupling means for interconnecting adjacently positioned pairs ofa plurality of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in a serialformation as in claim 2; said universal-type of joint-attachment meanscomprising combined hinge and swivel means including a rigid rodendbearing member incorporating an integral straight link portion in itsinner end and having an elongated inner passage telescopicallypositioned in snug-fitting relation to, and rigidly mounted on anecked-down portion on the opposite ends of the relatively elongated rodmember, and a circular-shaped female, rod-end bearing member-support onits outer end; a spherical element positioned and revolvable in alldirections within said female, rod-end bearing member-support and havinga raised boss portion projecting outwardly of the said femalebearing-support; and rigid attachment means positively mounting a spacerelement and the upper end portion of each of said pair of dependingelements in hinging and swiveling relation to the spherical element oneach end of said rod member. 5

1. In coupling means for interconnecting adjacently positioned pairs ofa plurality of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in a serialformation to thereby facilitate the loading and unloading thereof into,and from the cargo comPartment of a delivery aircraft, said meanscomprising; first, permanently affixed, cargo-pallet orcontainer-mounted block element means attached to the sides of saidpallets or containers in adjacent and predeterminedly spaced-apartpairs, and further each incorporating a built-in and oppositely taperedslot, each corresponding, pairs of block element means being utilizablein attaching said adjacently-positioned pairs of pallets or containersto each other; and second, cargo-pallet or containerinterconnectingmeans for releasably attaching opposite sides of each adjacentlypositioned pair of pallets or containers and each including a relativelyelongated and indirect cargo pallet or container-interconnecting-rodmember extending in its normally mounted position between, in paralleland spaced-apart relation to, and over the upper surfaces of each ofsaid pair of adjacently positioned pallets or containers, and a pair ofintermediately positioned and relatively short, direct cargopallet orcontainer-interconnecting-elements respectively extending from, and independing relation to, the opposite ends of said rod member, each ofsaid pair of depending elements comprising an interconnecting key membertapered in the same configuration as, and thereby being respectivelyengageable in locking relation within the built-in tapered slot of eachof the block element means corresponding thereto for therebyautomatically and positively ensuring correct alignment betweenadjacently positioned pairs of pallets or containers.
 2. In couplingmeans for interconnecting adjacently positioned pairs of a plurality ofcargo-carrying pallets or containers in a serial formation as in claim1, and a universal-type of joint-attachment means interconnected betweenthe said rod member and the pair of depending elements respectivelyextending from the opposite ends thereof to thereby allow relativemovement between adjacent pallets or containers during the serialloading or unloading thereof into, and from a cargo aircraft.
 3. Incoupling means for interconnecting adjacently positioned pairs of aplurality of cargo-carrying pallets or containers in a serial formationas in claim 2; said universal-type of joint-attachment means comprisingcombined hinge and swivel means including a rigid rod-end bearing memberincorporating an integral straight link portion in its inner end andhaving an elongated inner passage telescopically positioned insnug-fitting relation to, and rigidly mounted on a necked-down portionon the opposite ends of the relatively elongated rod member, and acircular-shaped female, rod-end bearing member-support on its outer end;a spherical element positioned and revolvable in all directions withinsaid female, rod-end bearing member-support and having a raised bossportion projecting outwardly of the said female bearing-support; andrigid attachment means positively mounting a spacer element and theupper end portion of each of said pair of depending elements in hingingand swiveling relation to the spherical element on each end of said rodmember.